Shoeing system for reducing bumpings on horses hooves

ABSTRACT

A shoeing system for horses&#39; hooves comprises a shoe ( 3 ) and shoe insert ( 2 ) of shock-absorbing material between the hoof and shoe. The single-part or multiple-part insert ( 2 ) is matched to the shape of the horse shoe ( 3 ) and is nailed in the front area between the hoof and shoe and can move in the rear area with the hoof relative to the shoe. This mobility is ensured by a sliding member ( 26 ) situated between the insert ( 2 ) and the shoe ( 3 ) and capable of moving relative to the shoe. In the heel area, the insert is provided on its inner side with beading ( 22 ) which both permits and restricts displacement of the insert.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention refers to shoeing systems having a horse shoe or a basecarrier and a shoe insert of attenuating material such as rubber,plastic, or the like, between the hoof and the shoe. The one part or twopart insert is adapted to form the shape of the horse shoe. The insertis nailed in the front area between the hoof and shoe and is movedlaterally and relative to the shoe interior area together with the hoof.

Legs of horses, especially of riding and jumping horses, are extremelysensitive and prone to injuries. Because the hocks are mainly grown ofhorn, bones and tendons, and have little muscle volume they undergoextremely high strains in the form of vibrations, shocks and impacts.With a horse's hoof a movement called hoof mechanism is created withinthe hoof. With common shoe insets this movement is decelerated. Withoutshoe inserts said movement happens between the hoof and the horse shoe,with the result that the hoof is ground down in the hoof area causingthe hoof to be in the wrong position.

In general, the horses+ hooves are shoed with horse shoes which arenailed onto the hoof. There are also known orthopaedic shoeing systemswith a plate of leather or plastic material fastened with nails betweenthe hoof and the horse shoe. In order to substitute this plate, when itis worn out, the nailing connection at the hoof has to be destroyed.This system is not hygienic and gives rise to inflammation because it isnot possible to clean the sole area of the hoof.

It is an object of this invention to provide a shoeing system whichallows optimum comfort to the horse and a high degree of cushioning andenergy absorption when landing after a jump, which guarantees a perfectfit and support against twisting of the hoof, and which provides acontrollable heel mechanism without any wear of the horn.

According to this invention this objet is solved by a one part or twopart insert which is adapted to the form of the horse shoe, and in thefront area is nailed between the hoof and the horse shoe and is movedlaterally and relative to the horse shoe in the rear area together withthe hoof.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,017 discloses a shoeing system comprising a horseshoe plate or a base support, a replaceable horse shoe pad of cushioningmaterial between hoof and horse shoe plate, and a firm connection of thehorse shoe plate and the horse shoe pad with the hoof. The pad consistsof a replaceable sole plate with several cleat-like members which are incontact with the soil ad which extend outwardly from the pad oppositethe hoof, and which pass through apertures in the horse shoe plate.Horse shoe plate and horse shoe pad are fastened onto the hoof by meansof nails through apertures within the horse shoe and the horse shoe padso that the pad is stationary connected with the horse shoe and the hoofalong the active extension of the horse shoe, and accordingly, the horseshoe pad cannot move relative to the hoof nor the horse shoe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to protect the hoof against vibrations and impacts, and toallow the sole area of the hoof to be cleaned, the base carrier (thehorse shoe) is embedded in cushioning material. The contact surface canbe quickly assembled and disassembled by an unskilled person. Before thebase carrier is fastened onto the hoof a thin cushioning ring offlexible material, e.g. of rubber, plastic or the like shaped accordingto the base carrier which allows the sole area to be accessed, isfastened by nails. In this manner the base carrier is not positively incontact with the hoof. The cushioning ring acts as a compensation meansfor vibrations and impacts. Because it is adapted to the shape of thebase carrier and is not a solid plate as usual, the sole area can becleaned and the hoof is able to “breathe.” Moreover, the cushioning ringserves to balance smaller uneven areas between the rim of the hoof andthe base carrier so that with hot shoeing or also cold shoeing acomplete fit is guaranteed.

The base carrier according to the invention can be provided with contactsurfaces which according to the conditions, e.g. harder or softer soil,can be chosen at will. This contact surface can be a combination ofsteel and rubber which in addition compensates the vibration andimpacts. The steel core of the base carrier can be embedded from top tobottom into attenuation material and therefore, is insulated in view ofoscillations and vibrations. This is of advantage insofar, as therequired stability of the steel can be used without there being thedisadvantages of vibration.

By means of different profiles of differing grip, variable contactsurfaces can be provided for. With the variable contact surfaces the“track” of the horse's legs can be adjusted, as is required forso-called Western riding. With a closed contact surface which is screwedonto the horse shoe, it is possible, by horizontally twisting the horseshoe, to make the track irons on the contact surface extend moreinwardly rather than outwardly. This allows to adapt the track of thehorse's legs to the soil condition available without needing theassistance of a blacksmith. Altering the track can be achieved byrotating the entire contact plate or by altering the movable track iron.

In order to avoid the desired incorrect positions of the hoof, accordingto the subject invention, a slide member is inserted into the shoeinsert in the heel area which is directed towards the horse shoe and thegliding ability thereof is higher than that of the shoe insert. In thismanner, the hoof mechanism is improved and the horn wear considerablyreduced. By means of a bead (or elevation) the shoe insert is fixed atthe inner side so that fastening by means of nails, rivets or the likeis not necessary. A bead at the shoe insert prevents direct and dungfrom collecting within the hoof so that the hoof is protected againstrotting between the hoof sole and the horse shoe. This type of bead isformed at the inner side of the shoe inset covering the entire peripheryand extending upwardly towards the hoof. If any pressure is exerted onthe bead the bead is pressed against the hoof and protects the hoofagainst deposits between the hoof and the horse shoe. Furthermore, thiswill prevent the dirt from collecting within the hoof.

According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, the base carrieror the horse shoe is made of a light-weight metal or PVC in order toreduce weight. These materials show rather high wear so that thethickness chosen for the horse shoe should be greater. In order to avoidwear and tear, the base carrier of light-weight metal or PVC is providedwith wear-resistant material, e.g. V2a, ceramics, tools steel, hardmetal, or the like. The horse shoe on the base carrier is provided witha contact surface having an extension, and the extended gripping rimextends along the outer portion of the base carrier; within the nailarea the gripping rim extends along the outer portion of the basecarrier; within the nail area the gripping rim is outside of the nailline. The griping rim forms one piece with the horse shoe. It can beused as a substitute for stakes. In order to improve the grip, thewear-resistant portions are projecting or are poured in plane in orderto reduce considerably wear. The wear portions e.g. are made in onepiece and embrace the entire hoof in the form of a horse shoe;alternatively, they can be made of several short portions which arearranged distant from each other around the entire periphery of thehorse shoe. In order to improve the statics at the horse shoe and inorder to prevent the heel portion of the hoof from sinking too much intothe soil, when riding occurs on softer soil, which would be a danger forthe flexor muscle mechanism, the base carriers are placed in the area ofthe heel starting from the third or fourth nail hole towards the end ina widened shape. The widening is at least 5 mm. This will allow that theheels during the movement of the heel mechanism always move on the horseshoe and will never slide beyond it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following is a description of embodiments of the invention incombination with the drawings which show:

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a shoeing system according to the inventionin an explosive view from the rear side;

FIG. 1a is a different embodiment of a shoeing system according to theinvention of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is the embodiment of FIG. 1 in perspective lateral view;

FIG. 2a is the embodiment of FIG. 1a in perspective lateral view;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section along line C-D of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section along line A-B of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section of a variation of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is another embodiment of a base carrier with attenuation insert;

FIG. 7 is in an enlarged scale a section from FIG. 6 with gliding memberin perspective view;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section of the drawing along line E-F of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a further embodiment of a base carrier with attenuation insertin perspective view;

FIG. 10 is a detailed view of bead means according to FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a detailed view of a gliding member according to FIG. 9 withattenuation inset and bead;

FIG. 12 is a cross-section through FIG. 9 along line G-H;

FIG. 13 is a drawing of a gliding member in lateral cross-sectionalview;

FIG. 14 is a cross-section of a shoe insert with gliding member alongsectional line I-K;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the shoeinsert with gliding member;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of a shoe insertwith inner bead;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view along line N-O of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view along line P-Q of FIG. 16;

FIGS. 19, 19 a and 19 b are various embodiments of bead means;

FIG. 20 is a further embodiment of a shoe insert according to theinvention;

FIGS. 21, 22 are drawings of gliding members with fixing pins;

FIGS. 23, 24, 25 are different embodiments of shoe inserts in lateralview;

FIG. 26 is a further embodiment of a shoe insert with base carrier inperspective view;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the shoe insert according to FIG.26 along line R-S of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is an exchangeable contact surface for the drawing of FIG. 26;

FIG. 29 is four different shapes of profile of the exchangeable contactsurfaces according to FIG. 28 in cross-section;

FIG. 30 is a plane view of a closed contact surface;

FIG. 31 is a rear view of the contact surface according to FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a schematic picture of a hoof with a contact surface fastenedthereon;

FIG. 33 is a schematic, perspective view of a further embodiment of ashoe insert;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a base carrier;

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of the base carrier according to FIG.34 along line V-W;

FIG. 36 is a lateral view of a revised embodiment of FIG. 34;

FIG. 37 is a plan view of an attenuation insert extending over the fullarea; and

FIG. 38 is an end view of the drawing of FIG. 37.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to FIGS. 1 and 2 the shoeing system 1 comprises an attenuationinsert or a shoe insert 2 of attenuating material, e.g. rubber,plastics, or the like. The shoe insert 2 is arranged within a horse shoeor a base carrier for base body 3 so that the lower side of the hoof issupported on the horse shoe 3 with the intermediate layer of theattenuation insert 2. With an embodiment of FIGS. 1a and 2 a a secondattenuation insert 4 is arranged, which is exchangeable and preferablyclosed, and is provided with a profile gripping iron 5 with open,exchangeable contact surface, whereby the profile gripping iron formsthe walking surface of the shoeing system and is in contact with thesoil, and whereby the second attenuation insert 4 is a compensatingmeans between the two irons 3 and 5. The second attenuation insertpreferably is of different color for different types of use, and can beprovided with markings, e.g. a logo and similar advertisement elementsat the outer side or the underside which is the side to be viewed whenthe hoof is lifted.

The shoe insert 2 is provided with bead sections 6,7 in the area at bothsides of the open horse shoe ends (rear part of the iron 3) which at theinner side of the shoe insert 2 are formed as extensions projectingupwardly and stabilizing the hoof inwardly which means they compensateand restrict any pressure on the hoof inwardly and outwardly. Theprofile gripping irons 5 are screwed into bores 9 of the gripping irons5 by means of cleats or stakes 8, or are fastened in a correspondingmanner, and are releasably mounted through the second attenuation insert4 with the base carrier 3. The cleats support the hoof when the hoof isput on soil.

Within the base carrier 3 (FIG. 3) the profiles 11 are inserted orpoured in as wear portions made of the same or different material which,if the base carrier 3 is the lowermost side of the shoeing system, givethe horse when jumping and running the necessary support, and which canfulfill the function of cleats.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-section through the attenuation insert 4 withdownwardly directed inner bead 12, FIG. 5 a cross-section through theattenuating insert 4 with upwardly extending inner bead 13.

FIG. 6 shows a shoe insert 14 with heel mechanism which is provided withan inner bead 15 formed in one piece. The bead can be solid or hollow,e.g. a hose, can be arranged at each side in a single piece, can beinterrupted, profiled or formed in similar manner. The shoe insert 14 isprovided with a recess 17 at the bottom surface, into which a glidingmember 16 of metal, plastic or similar wear-resistant material isinserted, which is positioned by means of a fixing pin 19 to the horseshoe 18 beneath. The hoof 20 is supported on the insert 15 and isprevented by the bead 15 from an inwardly directed lateral movement. Thegliding member 16 is provided within the area of the heel. It has ahigher degree of glidability than the shoe insert so that the hoofmechanism is improved and the wear of horn with corresponding stresseson the hoof is greatly reduced.

The shoe insert 21 is provided with an inner bead 22 extending aroundthe entire periphery, and with a gliding member 23 inserted within theshoe insert 21, within the two rear areas of the horse shoe. The glidingmember 23 is fixed by at least one fixing pin 24 to the horse shoe 26,25 show nail positions by means of which the horse shoe 26 is fastenedto the gliding member at the horse's hoof. The shoe insert 21, as shownin FIG. 10, is formed in one piece with the inner bead 22, which is ofsolid material or, as shown in the drawing, as a hose 22′. In a furtherembodiment according to FIG. 11 the gliding member 23 is fastened to thehorse shoe 26 by means of two fixing pins 24, 24′. The gliding member 23is provided with recesses 25, 25′, e.g. as longitudinal holes so thatthe gliding member 23 is adjustable relative to the horse shoe in thedirection of the arrow, and is laterally shiftable if the hoof isstressed.

FIGS. 12-15 show different cross-sections for the shoe insert withgliding member, whereby FIG. 12 is a cross-section along line G-H ofFIG. 9. FIG. 13 shows the gliding member 23 with two fixing pins 24, 24′which are fastened in corresponding bores or recesses of the horse shoe26 shown in part. FIG. 14 shows a cross-section I-K of the shoe insert21 and the bead 22 with gliding member 23. FIG. 15 shows anotherembodiment of a shoe insert 27 with gliding member 28 which has the samewidth as the shoe insert and has a fixing bead 29. The picture accordingto FIG. 15 shows a cross-section along line L-M.

FIGS. 16, 17, 18 and 19, 19 a, 19 b are various embodiments of beadarrangements of a shoe insert 30. The beads 31 are inner beads of theshoe insert in solid or in hose-type which means hollow form. The bead32 is an interrupted bead which comprises individual sections 32, andthe bead 33 consists of individual, finger-type elements which are alsomade in one piece with the shoe inset 30. The gliding member is shown byreference numeral 34 each, the horse shoe by 35. The shoe insert 30according to FIG. 17 with hose-type bead 31 shows a gliding member 34with fixing pin 34′; the picture according to FIG. 18 is a shoe insert30 with solid bead 31 and a sliding member 34 without any fixing pin.FIG. 19 shows a shoe insert 30 with solid bead and a layer 36 to benailed on.

FIGS. 20-25 show embodiments of a shoe insert 37 with gliding member 38and beads 39. The gliding member 38 is provided with a fixing pin 40 atone fastening end at the hoof or the horse shoe so that the glidingmembers are movable each around the axis of the fixing pin 40 within theplane of the shoe insert together with the shoe insert. FIGS. 23, 24 and25 show shoe inserts with a continuous inclination from the toe to theheel of the hoof. These various embodiments of shoe inserts are markedby 41, 42, and 43 which are formed as wedge-type inserts. They can beformed in one piece with the horse shoe; alternatively they can be madeof two parts so that the shoe inserts form only one leg each of a horseshoe so that the shoe insert is subdivided, whereby both parts areconnected with the horse shoe at the front end. At the wedge inserts 41,42, 43 a short inner bead 44 is formed for each. In this embodiment thewedge insert is merely arranged at the rear end of the hoof, however,the shoe insert can be formed as a one-part shoe insert in the shape ofa horse shoe as a wedge insert.

FIGS. 26, 27, 28, and 29 show embodiments of a base carrier or a horseshoe 45 with shoe insert 46 and inner, short bead 46 a in connectionwith an exchangeable, closed plate 47 of rubber or plastic, and anexchangeable contact surface or griping iron 48 which in FIG. 2 ismarked and shown as profile iron 5.

FIGS. 30-32 show closed, exchangeable contact surfaces 49 with trackirons 50 mounted thereon which means that they are fixed thereto, andare mounted by means of fastening screws 51 to the shoeing system. FIG.31 shows the track irons as being movable is shiftable at an angle toeach other, and movable in longitudinal holes. FIG. 33 shows a shoeinsert with upwardly directed bead at the inner side in the form of ahose profile and with fixing beads at the outer side. The shoe insertwithin the heel area is provided with laterally and outwardly extendingpreformed extensions, knobs or the like connected within the heel areato the outer rim of the shoe insert facing the other hoof, which preventinjuries when the horse shoe of the one leg hits the other leg, or warmsthe horse. According to FIG. 34 the base carrier 53 is formed withwidened ends 52 of the legs and a gripping rim. The cross-sectional viewof FIG. 35 shows a base carrier 54 with a gripping rim formed in onepiece which is of the same material as the base carrier. The embodimentaccording to FIG. 36 shows a base carrier 55 with one-piece gripping rim56 of a material which is more durable than the base carrier. Accordingto a further embodiment of the system according to FIGS. 1 and 2 theshoe insert according to FIGS. 37 and 38 can be formed as a full surfaceinsert 57 rather than a horse shoe-shaped cushioning insert, in order toprevent access of dirt or the like at the underside of the hoof. Inorder to allow the insert 57 to deflect in the rear area (similar to theattenuation insert 2 according to FIG. 1), the full-surface insert isprovided with a fan-shaped, closed folded surface 58 so that the closedsurface insert in the rear area is able to stretch or compress withinthe plane of the insert, if the hoof is stressed. The insert is providedwith beads 59, 59′ which are integrated into the insert and which on theone hand allow a lateral movement of the hoof and on the other hand,restrict such movement.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoeing system comprising a base carrier and aninsert, said insert being made of a cushioning material, and positionedbetween a hoof and said base carrier, said insert having a front partadapted to the front part of said base carrier and the shoeing system isnailed only in the front area of the shoeing system between said hoofand said base carrier, and a rear part of the shoeing system, which isnot nailed, but is laterally movable relative to the base carrier in arear area of said shoeing system together with said hoof, and furthercomprising a bead provided on the inner sides of said insert at least ata heel area facing said hoof, which allows an inwardly directed movementof said insert relative to said base carrier, restricts outwardlydirected movement and is made of the cushioning material of the insert.2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a gliding memberpositioned between said insert and said base carrier at a heel end ofsaid insert and fastened to the base carrier by means of a fixingelement, and is movable around the fixing element axis, the frictioncoefficient of said gliding member being selected independent of afriction coefficient of said insert.
 3. The system according to claim 2,wherein said gliding member at least partially covers said insert in aheel area, and is connected with said insert.
 4. The system according toclaim 2, wherein said gliding member is connected to said insert.
 5. Thesystem according to claim 2, wherein said gliding member is providedwith fixing means, which can be fastened to a recess of said basecarrier.
 6. The system according to claim 2, wherein said insert has arecess and the recess receives said gliding member having the samethickness as said insert.
 7. The system according to claim 1, whereinsaid bead facing said hoof extends at least partially around a peripheryof the hoof.
 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein said insert isof a resilient material selected from rubber or plastic.
 9. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said bead is a profile, which can be solidor hollow, and contacts said inner side of said hoof, and extends alonga peripheral direction, and also extends from at least one part of saidinsert upwards to said hoof.
 10. The system according to claim 1,wherein said bead is a solid or hollow profile, contacts said inner sideof said hoof and extends in the peripheral direction, and at least inpart downwardly to a contact surface from said insert.
 11. The systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising a gripping iron which isfastened to said base carrier at several mounting positions and isprovided with an increased tracking profile extending over substantiallythe entire periphery of said base carrier and is formed between saidbase carrier and said gripping iron for receiving a second attenuationinsert.
 12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said gripping ironis a closed-surface plate provided with an increased tracking iron andwith track adjustment means.